Presentation of the Asijiki Award for Courage & Initiative to Sir Elton John and the Elton John AIDS Foundation at the 21st International AIDS Conference, Durban
Venue: Sex Worker Networking Zone, Global Village, Durban ICC
Date: 21 July 2016
Time: 12h30
The Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work in South Africa will award Sir Elton John and the Elton John AIDS Foundation the Asijiki Award for Courage & Initiative. This award recognises unwavering and outspoken public advocates for their commitment to sex worker rights.
Asijiki is a broad-based advocacy coalition that brings together sex workers and human rights advocates for agitation on sex worker human rights, and specifically for the decriminalisation of sex work. Asijiki is the isiZulu term for ‘no turning back’!
The Asijiki Award for Courage & Initiative allows us a moment to step back and recognise our allies, show our appreciation for their bold work towards our common cause, and share with others our appreciation of their efforts.
We will present this inaugural award to Sir Elton John and the Elton John AIDS Foundation for their enduring public support of sex workers rights. The award is intended to acknowledge those whose peers often take a less brave stance and are overall under-recognised for their advocacy, specifically on issues of sex work. We were particularly inspired by Elton John and the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s steadfast and public support of Amnesty International’s position on the decriminalisation of sex work, for funding sex worker projects internationally, as well as speaking out against the indifference and hate that fuels the AIDS epidemic.
We are proud to present this award, and we will continue to move forward fearlessly and vigorously towards our vision of a world where sex worker rights are safeguarded and all sex workers are treated with dignity and respect. We salute our allies and supporters.
Press Contacts:
- Constance Mathe – Asijiki Coordinator – Coordinator@Asijiki.org.za – 078 004 2241
- Ishtar Lakhani – Sex Worker Education & Advocacy Taskforce – ishtarl@sweat.org.za – 079 437 1217
- Kholi Buthelezi – Sisonke National Sex worker Movement – kholib@sweat.org.za – 021 448-7875
- Marlise Richter – Sonke Gender Justice – marlise@genderjustice.org.za – 082 858 9927
- Stacey-Leigh Manoek – Women’s Legal Centre – stacey-leigh@wlce.co.za – 082 075 5571
